Ireland Private Tours &amp; Local Tour Guides

Hello, and welcome to my tours page. I have been a licensed tour guide since the eighties, initially working as a tour director on coaches for Ireland's largest incoming tour operator. I started my private luxury car tours after two decades as a tour director. I love sharing the passion and knowledge I have accumulated with visitors today. I travelled a lot in my youth and lived in France for 12 years, where I worked initially for American Airlines and later as a city tour guide. I am bilingual in French. I also spent two years in Italy, both in Rome and Sorrento. I no longer speak Italian, but I can understand it and absolutely love listening to it. I like to read, walk my dogs, and play bridge in my spare time. I operate all the classic tours but can customise each to your interests. I am a recent graduate in genealogy from University College Cork, so I can put you in the right direction as to where to find the necessary records if you're researching your Irish ancestry. If you already know where they come from, I can tailor a tour around that for you. Don't hesitate to contact me and let me know what you want. Thanks for reading. Mary

Caitlin W.

5.00 / 5

I am a historian and postdoctoral researcher based in Dublin city offering tours of the city focusing on the modern period - approximately the last 250 years. I completed my PhD in Public History at Trinity College, Dublin, where I studied how history was used to create different identities in the two Irish states after partition. I chose to study public history because I am really passionate about connecting the public with the history all around us and engaging them with it in their everyday life. I have over 7 years of experience working within the tourism industry, many of those were spent devising new tour scripts and completely overhauling the backstage tours at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin (Ireland's national theatre), where I worked for over 4 years. At the Abbey I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to develop a whole new revenue stream for the company based around boutique experiences at the theatre ranging from VIP nights, meet & greets, and historical talks. There I developed crucial skills in communicating and engaging a range of different groups and demographics, from intimate tours for the former UN Ambassador Samantha Power and an tÚachtarán Michael D. Higgins to larger tours for groups of active retirees with varying levels of accessibility. Since leaving the Abbey I have worked as a local tour leader for Peter Sommers Travel, a guide for the National Museum of Ireland and the 1916 Walking Tour, and Glasnevin Cemetery, and as a freelance tour guide. I have curated bespoke experiences for guests visiting Dublin such as a walking tour of the city designed with their interests in mind. I have worked with a variety of tour operators to ensure that their important guests had an enjoyable and educational experience. I would love an opportunity to work with your company and some of the guests you have visiting Ireland.

Kyoko D.

4.00 / 5

I've been living in Dublin for 30 years, and I've worked as National Tour Guide for 6 years. My customers are mainly Japanese but I can guide visitors of other nationalities as far as they speak English. I worked as an English teacher in Japan. I came to UK on a career break under the Cultural Exchange Programme. During the period I visited a friend in Dublin. I liked, decided to stay in Dublin, and consequently met my husband. I have been living in Dublin for 30 years. As well as business people, many of my friends visited me from Japan. I showed them around in Ireland many times, and enjoyed it very much, which made me to decide to become a Tour Guide. ダブリン在住の日本人ツアーガイドです。ガイド歴は6年です。個々の異なるご要望にきめ細かな対応ができるのが強みだと思っています。私が大好きなアイルランドをぜひご紹介したいです。大学卒業後静岡の高校で英語を教えておりました。文化交流プログラムの一環でイギリスに1年滞在しました。その際に友人を訪ねてダブリン訪れ、この地が気に入って居ついてしまいました。その後アイルランド人と結婚。主人と日々暮らす内、あっという間に30年が流れ去ったように感じます。その間に多くの友人がアイルランドを訪れてくれました。友人たちを案内してアイルランドについて語っている内に、もっと多くの人にアイルランドのことを知ってほしいと思うようになりました。それで一念発起して勉強し、アイルランド政府公認ツアーガイドの資格を取得。フリーランスとして、ガイドと同時に通訳業務も受け、現在に至っています。

Brendan K.

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Hi there. I'm Brendan. I am a native Dubliner. I was born here many years ago and spent all my life living and working all over the city. I love food, music, sport, history, politics and of course, the odd pint of Guinness. I retired in 2019 after a 40 year career in the technology industry, working for some of the biggest global names in the business. Because of my passion for all things historical my dream had always been to become a tour guide and I qualified as a official guide in August 2020. I have been taking my guests on journeys around the city since then. I love the idea that when someone tours with me they learn in a fun way about the very long history of Ireland and its people. They also see lots of places and things which I hope I bring to life for them as we stop for a while and discover the many stories to be told about this ancient city. With me you will learn about how Dublin has changed from the time of the Vikings to the time of Google. There are lots of funny stories to be told about that long period of time – I can assure you of that. So – if you are visiting Dublin please consider me as your guide. I am sure that if you choose me we will have some fun and interesting hours together as we walk the streets once used by the Vikings and the Normans and now the home of modern day Irish folk.

New Ireland Tour Guides

Liam R.

Hi, my name is Liam. I am an experienced Irish storyteller in Dublin. I have a huge knowledge of the history of Dublin and Ireland. I am well known as an entertaining and personable companion. My speciality is my Dublin Highlights tour.

Fiona D.

I am a professional singer and qualified tour guide offering a unique and fun interactive experience, taking in six historic locations and famous songs connected to them. Twenty years professional singer, amateur dramatics and a radio host. I am passionate about Irish history and travel and of course sharing my musical talent. I love meeting new guests from all over the world who visit my wonderful city and share with them my local stories, songs, recommendations and most important having fun, so I would love to work with you and your guests to experience my Dublin.

Liam G.

Chad mile failte (A hundred thousand welcomes). I am a native Dubliner both obsessed and captivated by my city. Every stone has a story to tell, from Viking origins to Georgian splendor. I love nothing better than telling stories to my guests and giving them a true feel for Dublin. I don't just give information but like to entertain also, laugh a little, learn alot is my ethos. My general Grand Tour is my most popular but I also offer other tours. Architectural tours, Writers and literary tours, James Joyce specific tours and an Easter Rebellion tour. Each tour is bespoke, not scripted and is designed to be both memorable and enjoyable.

Conor H.

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I have being providing private driver guiding services around the Dublin area and surrounding counties since 2017 . I use a Mercedes E Class as transportation so my private group is 1-3 pax .

Popular Ireland Private Tours

3-Hour Private Walking Tour: Dublin Highlights

In this 3-hour walking tour, I'll take you to see the best part in Dublin, including the Book of Kells, Trinity College, Dublin Castle, and a lovely stop at Molly Malone Statue to finish our tour.

The Making of Modern Ireland Walking Tour

Join me as we explore the making of modern Ireland through key sites in Dublin city centre. I have been doing tours of Dublin since 2015, and hold a Masters and PhD in Public History from Trinity College, Dublin. This tour connects history and the present day, starting with the most infamous event in Ireland's history - the Great Famine - and explores the key events that shape our modern nation. Tours can be booked for weekends or midweek and can be scheduled at any time to suit your group.

Gothic Dublin Ghost Tour

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1 hour 30 min

A ghost tour spectacular by night through the glowing illuminated streets of Dublin, filled with storytelling and beautiful architecture, you'll be chilled and terrified by the dark history and the Ghosts and Vampires of Dublin!

FROM$30/ per person

Anthony K.

1 Day Private Tour-Wicklow Walking Tour

Wicklow

9 hours

The tour will give you an insight into life for St. Kevin and his followers while walking around the Monastic City where you will discover the Holy Well, High Cross and the Deer Stone.

FROM$30/ per person

Mary B.

New Ireland Private Tours

Dublin - From Strongbow to the Georgians.

Dublin began life a a tiny riverside settlement. As the centuries passed it was colonised by the Vikings, the Normans and finally, the English. By the time of the Georgian era the population had risen to one hundred thousand people, who lived mostly between the boundaries of the Royal and Grand canals. The story of what happened in the centuries between the Norman invasion in 1167 and the end of the Georgian era in 1804 sets the scene for how Dublin became what it is today.

FROM$200/ per group

Brendan K.

Revolutionary Dublin - 1916 to 1923.

Discover the part played by Dublin in Ireland's long struggle to establish an independent republic. The bloody struggle ended in the Irish Republic with the signing of the 'treaty' with the British in 1921, at the end of a particularly bloody and brutal guerilla war against the forces of the British crown. There was further bloodshed in the civil war that followed the signing of the 'treaty' but peace was established in 1923. Discover what happened on this 3 hour tour.

FROM$200/ per group

Brendan K.

Dublin - From The Vikings to Silicon Docks.

On this tour, I'll take you through the streets of Ireland's capital city and tell you the story of how it evolved from a small Viking settlement to become one of the world centres of the digital revolution. Did you know that Ireland's history can be reflected in three paintings I have chosen from the collection in our National Art Gallery? Admission to the gallery is free so please allow me to take you through the paintings, their history and their hidden meanings.

FROM$200/ per group

Brendan K.

Dublin Highlights with Liam

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4 hours

You will love the Dublin Highlights tour with Liam. Liam is so entertaining and informative. He is an amazing storyteller with an unbelievable knowledge of Dublin and it’s history and culture. He will show you all the best places for shopping and to eat and drink and of course to have the Irish craic. Liam is simply bursting with energy and Irish wit and charm. You will love your time in Dublin with Liam.

FROM$250/ per group

Liam R.

Popular Ireland Private Cars

Private Tour of Dingle and Slea Head Drive

Comprehensive tour of the Dingle Peninsula, considered by some to be the most beautiful place on earth! Sandy beaches and green rolling landscapes with many ancient archeological ruins.

FROM$650/ per group

Ring of Kerry, Valentia Island and Skellig Ring Tour

Comprehensive tour of the Ring of Kerry, including a visit to Valentia Island and the Skellig Ring, from where we can view the Skellig Islands where 'Star Wars' was filmed.

FROM$650/ per group

Private Tour of the Beara Peninsula

It is one of the less travelled roads, but the Beara Peninsula has the most magnificent scenery. A mixture of coastal, mountainous, and the lakes in the Killarney National Park make for a great day sightseeing.

FROM$650/ per group

Private Tour of Killarney National Park

Drive through the incredible scenery of the Gap of Dunloe and visit the various attractions in the National Park. Travel off-the-beaten-path roads by car and enjoy getting your steps in whilst making your way on foot to the abbey. Flexible to suit your needs.

FROM$600/ per group

Ireland Tour Reviews

Emma D.

5 / 5

Sep 7, 2023

The Making of Modern Ireland Walking Tour

Sep 7, 2023

“Highlight of our Dublin visit”

Caitlin was a great guide. Responsive to inquiries before our tour, really personable, and beyond knowledgable. I highly recommend her.

Caitlin W.

Thank you Emma! It was a pleasure to bring you and your family around the city and I hope your parents enjoy their stay!

Dean N.

4 / 5

Sep 5, 2023

5 hour Shore Excursion

Cork

5 hours

Customized

Sep 5, 2023

“Good tour of Cork & surrounding”

Tadhg was very knowledgeable and personable. Took us to some spots not on the general tour routes that were excellent. Highly recommended.

Tadhg O.

Thank you Dean, It was wonderful to have you if only for a short excursion!

Carmen S.

4 / 5

Aug 30, 2023

3-Hour Private Walking Tour: Dublin Highlights

Aug 30, 2023

“Great time with Kyoko ”

Thanks Kyoko for your flexibility and customizing the tour to our needs. We had fun and learned a lot of history behind key landmarks. We definitely recommend the tour with Kyoko.

Kyoko D.